Kiffin to Spurrier: “I was just trying to be like you”

Kiffin was in Phoenix for the Pac-12 conference meeting, and made his way to the hotel’s workout room where he saw The Old Ball Coach. Kiffin politely interrupted the workout to say hello to the coach whose offense, visor, and overall wit he had idolized growing up.

Spurrier congratulated Lane and the Trojans on a great season last year, despite the sanctions and numerous critics saying it couldn’t be done. Kiffin responded by saying, “Coach, I was just trying to be like you, say the things that you used to say all the time. They hated me saying it.”

In typical Spurrier fashion, the Head Ball Coach responded by saying, “Boy, I said those in the summertime and you say those in the season.” Classic Spurrier response.

Take a look at any preseason ranking and you’ll see USC near the top (even though we all know how much those matter at this point). Kiffin and the Trojans return 19 starters off of last years team and open the season up with Hawaii at home before wrapping the season up with three out of four home games against Oregon, Arizona State and Notre Dame.